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Oak Brook Park District breaks ground on Central Park North Phase II
Summary
The Oak Brook Park District held a special meeting and ceremonial groundbreaking on March 20, 2023 to mark the start of Central Park North Phase II, a project funded in part by DCEO and OSLAD grants and voter-approved bonds that will add restrooms, concessions, accessible paths and recreation features.
The Oak Brook Park District held a special meeting and ceremonial groundbreaking March 20, 2023 to mark the start of Central Park North Phase II at the Central Park North Fields picnic gazebo.
Executive Director Laure L. Kosey thanked residents and officials for support, saying, "It has been wonderful to see the community enjoy the new amenities completed during Phase I of the project at the Central Park North Athletic Fields. We could not be more excited for the new additions that come with Phase II of the project." The ceremony followed brief procedural business that included approval of the special meeting agenda.
The park district and its partners say Phase II will add a restroom, concession and storage facility adjacent to an amphitheater; improved access along Ginger Creek for fishing; accessible walkways and seating areas; a plaza with game tables; and an accessible fitness challenge course. A press release posted March 21, 2023 noted the project was aided by a $480,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and a $400,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant. The release also notes that voters approved a referendum in 2018 enabling the district to issue $17.9 million in bonds to acquire and improve the property.
Park officials traced the Central Park North plan back to 2018 voter approval and said Phase I, completed in part with an OSLAD grant, opened for public use in spring 2021 with two full-size illuminated soccer fields, fitness equipment, a bags court, looped walking trails, a totem plaza, basketball courts and two picnic shelters.
At the start of the special meeting, President Sharon Knitter called the meeting to order and roll was taken: Commissioners Frank Trombetta, Ivana Ivkovic Kelley, Lara Suleiman and Knitter were present; Commissioner Truedson was absent. Commissioner Trombetta moved to approve the March 20 special meeting agenda; Commissioner Suleiman seconded and the motion passed by roll call. Commissioner Trombetta later moved to adjourn; Commissioner Suleiman seconded and the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
The project team named in meeting materials and the press release includes Deputy Director Dave Thommes, Director of Parks and Planning Bob Johnson, Oak Brook Village Manager Greg Summers, representatives from the DuPage County Convention & Visitors Bureau and architect Jeff Lietz of Charles Vincent George Architects.
The Park District said the public was invited to attend the groundbreaking and described Phase II as continuing the district's multi-year effort to expand recreation and park amenities at Central Park North. The district did not provide a timeline for construction completion in the meeting minutes or press release.
The Park District Board will hold its next regular meeting on March 20, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the Canterberry Room at the Family Recreation Center.
